(108a) Anaerobic Treatment of High-Strength Effluents In the Food and Beverage, and Agricultural Industry

Anaerobic wastewater treatment offers a cost-effective alternative for pretreatment of high-strength wastewater with the added benefit of biogas production. High strength wastewater is generated at manufacturing facilities operating primarily in the food and beverage, and agricultural sector.  High-strength wastewater treatment has typically involved combinations of conventional physico-chemical and aerobic processes such as chemical precipitation, flotation, engineered lagoons and activated sludge.  Anaerobic treatment is a cost-competitive solution due to the lower energy requirements, lower sludge production, smaller footprint requirements, and generation of  biogas compared to other conventional treatment options with the concomitant reduction of greenhouse emissions and carbon footprint associated with treatment. This technology has had limited applicability in the U.S. due to the preferred use of conventional treatment processes. However, in light of increasing costs of energy and treatment, anaerobic treatment has become more attractive as a means of pretreatment. 

Several anaerobic technologies are available in the marketplace ranging from the pioneering UASB to the more recent anaerobic membrane and anaerobic floatation reactor (AFR).  This presentation will provide an overview of the technologies available, a cost comparison with conventional treatment, and considerations for treatability assessment and implementation.